'Mesopotamian Transport Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by the Government of India with the Approval of the Right Hon'ble The Secretary of State for India, to Enquire into Questions Connected with the Organisation and Administration of the Railway and River Transport in Mesopotamia' [‎15r] (29/114)

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104. We have considered the advisability of returning sea-going ratings to Sea-going
India. Information in regard to the number of these ratings serving in the I. W. T. ratin g s -
vessels was not available, but we have asked the Director to have a list of these
men compiled and we consider they should be returned to India. Men of this
kind S,re not required on the Tigris. Every kind of work on the river, e.g., tending
bridges, making of bunds, bandalling, buoyage, mooring at jetties, manning of
barges and propelled vessels, can be better done by men from the river districts
in Bengal, who are familiar with all the conditions of river-working. There is
very little work in Mesopotamia that requires sea-going experience [see Appen
dix B (8)].
105. We also recommend that more active steps should be taken to prevent
the recruiting of sea-going deck and engine room crews, especially from the
Bombay side.
106. As a result of our enquiries it seems clear that the marine ratings sent Quality. ,
out compare rather unfavourably with those usually employed in India. The
responsible officers do not, however, complain of this and will be satisfied so long
as the class of man from which inland marine ratings are recruited in India is
sent out. The men can be trained and gain their experience on the vessels in
Mesopotamia.
107. We learn that at the suggestion of the Eecruiting Department in India, Trimming,
coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. are being put to learn trimmers work. This is being done with the idea
of reducing the number of marine ratings to be indented for. The Superintendent
Personnel advised us that he would have to recruit coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. to make up for the men
transferred to trimming.
108. In regard to certificated ratings it has been pointed out to us that the Certificated
failure to send records of service with the men greatly handicaps the responsible ratings,
officers here in disposing of the men. This is a very important matter and steps
should be taken at once to send with each certificated rating a copy of his record
and a clear advice that he is certificated. The absence of such record has made
it impossible for the officers here to fairly allot the men to suitable appointments.
Failure to do so gives rise to grave discontent and must militate greatly against
satisfactory recruitment. ,
109." The employment of Indian certificated ratings in command of vessels
is being gradually extended. Command is now distributed as follows in mecha
nically propelled vessels other than motor boats:—•
Steamers.
British
Indian
British
Launches and towing launches.
Deck.
148
87
Deck.
Nil.
Engine Room.
168
46
Engine Room.
Nil.
104
Indian .. .. .. . . .. .. 104
Employment of certificated Indians in command can be greatly extended.
So far as safe and efficient navigation is concerned, and so far as military consider
ations will permit, there is no reason why nearly all vessels should not be gradually
manned by Indians, if suitable men are selected and it is considered advisable to
economise in British man-power to this extent. The largest vessels on the river
were successfully commanded by Indians when working in India, and the condi
tions of navigation on the Tigris are not more difficult than those existing on
Indian rivers. We would not recommend the employment at present of any Indian
in charge of large internal combustion engines.
110. It has been suggested to us that there would be some difficulty in having
Indians in command of vessels carrying troops. This does not seem to be a great
difficulty. The position of the Indian in charge of the vessel could be well defined,
and there need be no interference from the Officer Commanding troops on board
with the well-defined and well-understood duties and liabilities of the Indian iu